IELTS Writing Checker

Check your IELTS Task 1 or Task 2 answer before test day. It counts your words against the minimum, checks your paragraphs and flags anything too informal for the exam.

No sign-up needed. It does not give a band score.

Check your answer

Paste your answer below. Adding the question is optional, but it lets the checker find wording you copied from it.

0 words 0 / 40000 chars
Which task is this?
IELTS accepts either spelling, as long as you are consistent.

What it checks

  • Word count against the minimum, leaving out wording copied from the question
  • Paragraphs: an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion
  • A clear overview in Task 1, and no personal opinions
  • Contractions, informal words and exclamation marks
  • Phrases examiners see in almost every script
  • Grammar, spelling and style, the same as our essay checker

The Writing test at a glance

TaskMinimumTime
Task 1150 words20 min
Task 2250 words40 min

You get 60 minutes for both tasks. Task 2 counts for twice as much as Task 1, so it deserves the extra time.

What it can't do

It can't tell whether you answered the question, how well you developed your ideas, or what band you would get. That takes a person reading your answer.

You can request a human review for a flat $25. General Training letters are not supported yet.

Frequently asked questions

Does the IELTS writing checker give a band score?

No. A reliable band score needs a trained examiner, or software tested against a large set of examiner-marked scripts. This checker sticks to what can be measured dependably: length, paragraphing, formal language, grammar and spelling. If you want a person to read your answer, you can request a human review for a flat $25.

Do words copied from the question count towards the word count?

No. Examiners do not count wording copied directly from the question, so an answer that looks long enough can still fall short. Paste the question into the question box and the checker shows how many of your words are copied and how many count.

Is there a maximum word count in IELTS Writing?

No. Writing far more than the minimum does not earn extra marks and leaves less time to check your work. Task 2 counts for twice as much as Task 1, so do not let Task 1 eat into your 40 minutes for Task 2.

Can I use contractions in IELTS Writing?

Avoid them in Task 2 and in Academic Task 1, where examiners expect a formal style: write do not instead of don't, and it is instead of it's. General Training Task 1 letters are different, because an informal letter to a friend can use contractions. That is why this checker does not cover letters yet.

How accurate is the word count?

It counts words and numbers the way most word counters do, so 45% and 2010 each count as one word. Examiners may treat hyphenated words and symbols slightly differently, so aim comfortably above the minimum rather than exactly on it.

Is the IELTS writing checker free?

Yes, with no sign-up. Your text is used only to generate feedback and is not published. Grammar checking uses the LanguageTool service, as explained in our privacy policy.